What I meant is that if ever Italy were to suppress civil rights as Russia did, banning access to many legitimate websites, I can’t see italian user base increasing.
But I might be really wrong here, as is exactly when government deprives you from liberty when you start appreciating it much, and you fight back for it, with every available item, VPN’s and bitcoin included.
Yes. Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest! At least that's what they say ...

I had no idea that Russia banned Bitcointalk. When did it happen? Was it in response to the war in Ukraine, or is it because of their attitude towards Bitcoin?